CHELSEA completed the record transfer of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the final minutes of the January window deadline, the Portuguese club confirmed.
The 22-year-old World Cup winner with Argentina joins the Premier League club for a new British transfer record fee of £105 million, surpassing Jack Grealish’s £100m move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.
The young midfielder has signed on until June 2031, with the huge transfer fee reportedly to be paid in six instalments.
Fernandez, who moved to Benfica from River Plate for £40m in July 2021, is a continuation of Chelsea’s spending spree in January, which has seen the acquisition of Mykhaylo Mudryk for £88m and Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid among others.
The move is expected to be officially announced by Chelsea today.
Meanwhile, Manchester United completed the deadline day signing of Marcel Sabitzer and confirmed the move in the early hours of today.
“Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Marcel Sabitzer has joined the club on loan from Bayern Munich until June 2023,” the Premier League club announced on their official website.
“The Austrian midfielder has made 443 career club appearances across Europe, including 54 since joining FC Bayern Munich in August 2021.
“Previously he was club captain of RB Leipzig. He has 68 full international caps for the Austria national team.”
The 28-year-old Sabitzer, who was signed as cover for the injured Christian Eriksen, said he was ready to contribute to United’s pursuit of success in four competitions this season.
“Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions. From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me,” he said.
“I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season.
“I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans.”
